I've spent numerous weeks studying and working and haven't even ventured into the pub (now that IS something unusual!) and as a tragic result, my gaming has been on a back burner

However, on my return after numerous exams (it's true, by the way, the older you are the harder it gets!) I've jumped back in to my Xbox dashboard with joy, and started on the gargantuan Fallout 3. I've got roughly 40 hours gaming on the go, and have deliberately halted my quest on the main story line to pursue many of the side quests available and just do a bit of exploring. I've found sitting playing Fallout for several hours at a time actually affects my mood - anyone else get this? I think because it is such an immersive game and for the most part you are on your own, it can affect you.I can't really describe it, but leaves me feeling a little jaded. So, to ease my mind I've invested in the newest DLC for Fable 2 - a little lighter and good-hearted and a bargain at 560mp.

I suppose it's like reading a book - you wouldn't sit and read Dickens for 4 hours a night every night for 2 weeks, would you? (I bet someone probably would) You would end up with a brain turned to mush. I suppose I feel the same way about Fallout 3. Aaah, welcome back to the joys of gaming......

I am fed up. There. I said it.

I never thought I would utter those words about the Sacred Game. But the truth is, I feel as if I've been playing it non-stop and I've barely dented the main storyline!

I'm very aware that it is the case where yes, you do play things to death and you end up sickening yourself with it, but something feels different this time. I'm beginning to get bored of the missions (Go here, pick up this, kill him, steal that) and just findingthe general gameplay rather dull.The dodgy accents are doing my head in, and I'm fed up of having to drive crappy slow cars when I've got a wanted level, just because there is nothing else to drive.No game should ever feel like a chore - that kind of defeats the purpose of playing computer games..........

So I'm taking in some pretty scenery and kicking some tiger butt with Lara instead.

The only thing that worries me now is that I may not bother playing it again.

I finally did it. I ended up staying in on a Saturday night (yes, sad I know) and managed all the achievements, including those of the DLC for Fable 2. It has taken many weeks of swearing, trading, forum-posting(cheers Gamespot) some more expletives and a bit more trading but I finally got there!

Interestingly, one thing I did do was complete the main story a full three times for the three different choices- why, I hear you ask? Well, initially the tomboy traditionalist in me said "Goodness sake, you can't be a chick in a game like this! It's just not right!" However, after my first play-though with my angelic dude (who bears a striking resemblance to Newton Faulkner) I was kinda tempted to do the girly thing after finding clothes choices and whatnot. I still wanted an evil guy though, so I ended up just going for it, and lets face it, it really doesn't take long to power through the main storyline.

That aside, I do think the Dollcatcher was a very clever achievement, and I eventually did the "Hero see" bit when I traded said achievement for doing the duellist for someone else. As my first 360 title and first full set of achievements, I feel content and happy that I have wrung every possible bit of joy out of this game and I've loved every minute of it!

Even though I have more great games to play, I'm now just a little bit sad that I've nothing more to achieve